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Abstract:

The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus,
including computer program products, for controlling and power lighting
units connected to a network controller. In one aspect there is provided
a method that may include receiving at a first input power from a power
supply; receiving at a second input one or more illumination control
packets from a data processing device via one or more network
connections; transmitting from a first output power to one or more
lighting units; and powering from a second output an illumination level
of one or more colors associated with the one or more lighting units in
accordance with the one or more illumination control packets via the one
or more network connections. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and
articles are also described.

Claims:

1. An apparatus comprising: a first input to receive power from a power
supply connected to the apparatus; a second input to receive one or more
illumination control packets from a data processing device connected to
the apparatus via one or more network connections; a first output to
transmit power to one or more lighting units connected to the apparatus;
and a second output to power an illumination level of one or more colors
associated with the one or more lighting units in accordance with the one
or more illumination control packets via the one or more network
connections.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination control
packets specifies at least one or more color level parameters and one or
more scaling parameters.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a processor configured to
control the one or more colors associated with the one or more lighting
units by pulse modulating a signal in accordance with the one or more
color level parameters and the one or more scaling parameters.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a power over
Ethernet device, wherein the first input receives power from the power
supply via an Ethernet connection, and wherein the first output transmits
power to the one or more lighting units via the Ethernet connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first input and the first output
is an RJ45 socket.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input receives power from
the power supply via low voltage wiring, and wherein the first output
transmits power to the one or more lighting units via the low voltage
wiring.

7. A method comprising: receiving at a first input power from a power
supply; receiving at a second input one or more illumination control
packets from a data processing device via one or more network
connections; transmitting from a first output power to one or more
lighting units; and powering from a second output an illumination level
of one or more colors associated with the one or more lighting units in
accordance with the one or more illumination control packets via the one
or more network connections.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more illumination control
packets specifies at least one or more color level parameters and one or
more scaling parameters.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising controlling the one or more
colors associated with the one or more lighting units by pulse modulating
a signal in accordance with the one or more color level parameters and
the one or more scaling parameters.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the power supply is a power over
Ethernet device, wherein power is received at the first input from the
power supply via an Ethernet connection, and wherein power is transmitted
from the first output to the one or more lighting units via the Ethernet
connection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first input and the first output
is an RJ45 socket.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein power is received at the first input
from the power supply via low voltage wiring, and wherein power is
transmitted from the first output to the one or more lighting units via
the low voltage wiring.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions to
configure a processor to perform operations comprising: receiving at a
first input power from a power supply; receiving at a second input one or
more illumination control packets from a data processing device via one
or more network connections; transmitting from a first output power to
one or more lighting units; and powering from a second output an
illumination level of one or more colors associated with the one or more
lighting units in accordance with the one or more illumination control
packets via the one or more network connections.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the
one or more illumination control packets specifies at least one or more
color level parameters and one or more scaling parameters.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, the
operations further comprising controlling the one or more colors
associated with the one or more lighting units by pulse modulating a
signal in accordance with the one or more color level parameters and the
one or more scaling parameters.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the
power supply is a power over Ethernet device, wherein power is received
at the first input from the power supply via an Ethernet connection, and
wherein power is transmitted from the first output to the one or more
lighting units via the Ethernet connection.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the
first input and the first output is an RJ45 socket.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein
power is received at the first input from the power supply via low
voltage wiring, and wherein power is transmitted from the first output to
the one or more lighting units via the low voltage wiring.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The current application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/589,788 filed
on Jan. 23, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety for all purposes. The current application is
related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/872,890, filed Aug. 31,
2010, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,344,641 on Jan. 1, 2013, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/238,977, filed Sep. 1,
2009. Each application listed in this paragraph is incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to light-emitting diode
(LED) illumination control using a simple digital command structure, and
in some implementations, to powering and controlling LED lighting
utilizing one at least one of direct current (DC) power and power over
Ethernet (PoE) power.

BACKGROUND

[0003] LED illumination control is often accomplished by the modification
of existing illumination control systems largely developed for AC
incandescent lamps or similar devices. Such systems can have relatively
complicated command structures and modalities.

[0004] An example of an existing digital interface for illumination
control system is the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI),
which typically uses a two-byte command having an address byte and a
control byte. The data rate is typically 1200 bits per second. The
control byte can have one of 512 different values, each representing
distinct operations. Such digital interfaces can require several commands
to accomplish relatively simple LED illumination control.

SUMMARY

[0005] In some implementations, methods and apparatus, including computer
program products, are provided for controlling and power lighting units
connected to a network controller.

[0006] In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus. The
apparatus can include a first input to receive power from a power supply
connected to the apparatus; a second input to receive one or more
illumination control packets from a data processing device connected to
the apparatus via one or more network connections; a first output to
transmit power to one or more lighting units connected to the apparatus;
and a second output to power an illumination level of one or more colors
associated with the one or more lighting units in accordance with the one
or more illumination control packets via the one or more network
connections.

[0007] The above apparatus may, in some implementations, further include
one or more of the following features.

[0008] In some implementations, the one or more illumination control
packets can specify at least one or more color level parameters and one
or more scaling parameters.

[0009] In some implementations, the apparatus can further include a
processor. This processor can be configured to control the one or more
colors associated with the one or more lighting units by pulse modulating
a signal in accordance with the one or more color level parameters and
the one or more scaling parameters.

[0010] In still other implementations, the power supply connected to the
apparatus can be a power over Ethernet device; the first input can
receive power from the power supply via an Ethernet connection; and the
first output can transmit power to the one or more lighting units via the
Ethernet connection. In some implementations, the first input and the
first output can be an RJ45 socket.

[0011] In yet other implementations, the first input can receive power
from the power supply via low voltage wiring, and the first output can
transmit power to the one or more lighting units via the low voltage
wiring.

[0012] In some implementations, there is provided a method. This method
can include receiving at a first input power from a power supply;
receiving at a second input one or more illumination control packets from
a data processing device via one or more network connections;
transmitting from a first output power to one or more lighting units; and
powering from a second output an illumination level of one or more colors
associated with the one or more lighting units in accordance with the one
or more illumination control packets via the one or more network
connections.

[0013] The above method can, in some implementations, further include one
or more of the following features.

[0014] In some implementations, the one or more illumination control
packets can specify at least one or more color level parameters and one
or more scaling parameters.

[0015] In some implementations, the method can further include controlling
the one or more colors associated with the one or more lighting units by
pulse modulating a signal in accordance with the one or more color level
parameters and the one or more scaling parameters.

[0016] In still other implementations, the power supply can be a power
over Ethernet device; power can be received at the first input from the
power supply via an Ethernet connection, and power can be transmitted
from the first output to the one or more lighting units via the Ethernet
connection. In some implementations, the first input and the first output
can be an RJ45 socket.

[0017] In yet other implementations, power can be received at the first
input from the power supply via low voltage wiring, and power can be
transmitted from the first output to the one or more lighting units via
the low voltage wiring.

[0018] In some implementations, there is provided a non-transitory
computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium can
contain instructions to configure a processor to perform operations.
These operations can include receiving at a first input power from a
power supply; receiving at a second input one or more illumination
control packets from a data processing device via one or more network
connections; transmitting from a first output power to one or more
lighting units; and powering from a second output an illumination level
of one or more colors associated with the one or more lighting units in
accordance with the one or more illumination control packets via the one
or more network connections.

[0019] The above computer program product can, in some implementations,
further include one or more of the following features.

[0020] In some implementations, the one or more illumination control
packets can specify at least one or more color level parameters and one
or more scaling parameters.

[0021] In some implementations, the operations can further include
controlling the one or more colors associated with the one or more
lighting units by pulse modulating a signal in accordance with the one or
more color level parameters and the one or more scaling parameters.

[0022] In still other implementations, the power supply can be a power
over Ethernet device; power can be received at the first input from the
power supply via an Ethernet connection, and power can be transmitted
from the first output to the one or more lighting units via the Ethernet
connection. In some implementations, the first input and the first output
can be an RJ45 socket.

[0023] In yet other implementations, power can be received at the first
input from the power supply via low voltage wiring, and power can be
transmitted from the first output to the one or more lighting units via
the low voltage wiring.

[0024] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive. Further features and/or variations may be
provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the
implementations described herein may be directed to various combinations
and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and
subcombinations of several further features disclosed below in the
detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter
disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of
the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the
drawings,

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an illumination
controller consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unitary illumination
control command consistent with implementations of the current subject
matter;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for three-color LED
illumination control consistent with implementations of the current
subject matter;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a table of a pre-programmed illumination sequence
consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating features of a lighting
controller consistent with implementations of the current subject matter,
and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a magnified view of FIG. 5;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a controller circuit board consistent with
implementations of the current subject matter;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example system in which lighting
control is provided via Ethernet network wiring and power is supplied by
low voltage wiring;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example system in which lighting
control and power are provided via Ethernet wiring; and

[0034]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for receiving and transmitting power and
control to lighting units connected to a lighting controller.

[0035] When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar
structures, features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter
described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter
described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an implementation of the
current subject matter can include an illumination controller 10 (FIG. 1)
for use with at least one three-color LED module 20. The illumination
controller can include a command input, three (or more or less) color
control outputs, CNTL1 60, CNTL2 65, and CNTL3 70, and a processor 40.
The command input 30 receives at least one illumination control packet.
The first color control output pulse modulates a first signal that powers
a first illumination level for a first color. The second color control
output pulse modulates a second signal that powers a second illumination
level for a second color. The third color control output pulse modulates
a third signal that powers a third illumination level for a third color.
The processor controls the first color control output in accordance with
a first color level parameter associated with a first illumination
control packet received at the input and a scale parameter associated
with a second illumination control packet received at the input, controls
the second color control output in accordance with a second color level
parameter associated with the first illumination control packet and the
scale parameter; and controls the third color control output in
accordance with the third color level parameter associated with the first
illumination control packet and the scale parameter. The three colors
can, in at least some variations, be red, green, and blue.

[0038] The first, second and third signals can in some variations have
voltages of less than approximately 24 volts. In the implementation of
FIG. 2, each of the first and second illumination control packets 200 can
include an ASCII string that can be activated when the processor 40
receives a carriage return character. The scaling parameter can
correspond to an illumination scaling greater than zero. The input 30 can
optionally be a serial interface such as an RS-232 interface, or an
RS-485 interface. Further, the input can be a wireless interface.

[0039] The first color control output can use pulse frequency modulation
based on the first color level parameter and can use pulse width
modulation based on the scaling parameter for pulse modulating the first
signal, the second color control output can use pulse frequency
modulation based on the second color level parameter and can use pulse
width modulation based on the scaling parameter for pulse modulating the
second signal, and the third color control output can use pulse frequency
modulation based on the third color level parameter and can use pulse
width modulation based on the scaling parameter for pulse modulating the
third signal.

[0040] The illumination controller 10 can further include a fourth (or
additional) color control output for pulse modulating a fourth signal
that powers a fourth illumination level for a fourth color. The processor
can control the fourth color control output in accordance with the fourth
color level parameter associated with the first illumination control
packet and the scale parameter. The fourth color control output can use
pulse frequency modulation based on the fourth color level parameter and
can use pulse width modulation based on the scaling parameter for pulse
modulating the fourth signal. The fourth color can optionally be amber or
some other color. The illumination controller 10 can further include
first and second front panel buttons, B1 and B2. The processor can be
configured with a pre-programmed illumination sequence 410 that is
controlled using the first and second front panel buttons.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, implementations of the current subject matter
can also include a method 300 for controlling at least one three-color
LED module 20. In the method, a first illumination control packet having
at least a first color level parameter, a second color level parameter,
and a third color level parameter 200 is received (step 310). Also, a
second illumination control packet having a scaling parameter is received
(step 315). A processor controls a first color control output to pulse
modulate a first signal that powers a first illumination level for a
first color in accordance with the first color level parameter and the
scaling parameter, controls a second color control output to pulse
modulate a second signal that powers a second illumination level for a
second color in accordance with the second color level parameter and the
scaling parameter, and controls a third color control output to pulse
modulate a third signal that powers a third illumination level for a
third color in accordance with the third color level parameter and
scaling parameter.

[0042] Implementations of the current subject matter can also include an
apparatus 10 for controlling at least one three-color LED module. The
apparatus includes means 30 for receiving a first illumination control
packet having at least a first color level parameter, a second color
level parameter, and a third color level parameter; means for receiving a
second illumination control packet having a scaling parameter; means for
controlling a first color control output to pulse modulate a first signal
that powers a first illumination level for a first color in accordance
with the first color level parameter and the scaling parameter; means for
controlling a second color control output to pulse modulate a second
signal that powers a second illumination level for a second color in
accordance with the second color level parameter and the scaling
parameter; and means for controlling a third color control output to
pulse modulate a third signal that powers a third illumination level for
a third color in accordance with the third color level parameter and
scaling parameter.

[0043] Implementations of the current subject matter can also include a
computer program product comprising computer readable medium 50 storing:
code for causing a computer to receive a first illumination control
packet having at least a first color level parameter, a second color
level parameter, and a third color level parameter; code for causing a
computer to receive a second illumination control packet having a scaling
parameter; code for causing a computer to control a first color control
output to pulse modulate a first signal that powers a first illumination
level for a first color in accordance with the first color level
parameter and the scaling parameter; code for causing a computer to
control a second color control output to pulse modulate a second signal
that powers a second illumination level for a second color in accordance
with the second color level parameter and the scaling parameter; and code
for causing a computer to control a third color control output to pulse
modulate a third signal that powers a third illumination level for a
third color in accordance with the third color level parameter and
scaling parameter.

[0044] The illumination controller 10 can provide RGB LED color control
for a single lighting zone in smaller to mid-sized architectural spaces.
The controller and the LED module(s) 20 can form one addressable segment
100 of a plurality of individually addressable and controllable segments
corresponding to respective lighting zones. The controller can control
common anode RGB components with input voltages below approximately 24
volts (or it can alternatively control three (or optionally more or
fewer) separate single color LED strings simultaneously). The
illumination controller can utilize pulse frequency modulation (PFM) to
create smooth color fades and a logarithmic algorithm for more accurate
color matching of eight-bit (256 level) RGB values or the like. The
unitary illumination control command 200 can include an address for the
illumination controller.

[0045] Further, implementations of the current subject matter can also
include an illumination controller for use with at least one three-color
LED module. The illumination controller includes an input, a control
output, and a processor. The command input receives at least one
illumination control packet. The control output pulse modulates a signal
that powers an illumination level. The processor controls the control
output in accordance with an illumination level parameter associated with
a first illumination control packet received at the input and a scale
parameter associated with a second illumination control packet received
at the input. The control output can use pulse frequency modulation based
on the illumination level parameter and can use pulse width modulation
based on the scaling parameter for modulating the signal.

[0046] The illumination controller can be wall mounted and can be
installed in a standard single-gang electrical box (advantageously
separate from any AC line voltage wiring) and can be manually operated
with only two front panel buttons. A power supply is separate and should
be specifically matched to the LED system being driven and can supply
power to illumination controller 10 via PWR input 80.

[0047] The illumination controller 10 can include a 6-position screw
terminal connector. Typical screw positions can be labeled Vin
(voltage in), GND, Vout (voltage out), R (red), G (green), and B
(blue). Multiple parallel LED components can be wired in the same
terminal block as long as the voltage requirements are compatible.
Vin and GND can be for the DC input from the power supply and can
typically be in a range of approximately 6 volt minimum to approximately
24 volt maximum matched to the LED system. Vout can be for a common
anode of the LED system.

[0048] The processor 40 can optionally be a configurable communications
controller, such as for example part number SX28AC/SS-G (available from
Parallax Inc. of Rocklin, Calif.). The control outputs can each be
implemented using a power MOSFET, such as for example part number
FDP7030BL (available from Fairchild Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif.).

[0049] In one example of a device having one or more features consistent
with an implementation of the current subject matter, manual operation of
an illumination controller 10 can be accomplished using two buttons, B1
and B2, and a predefined sequence of colors that will be displayed in a
continuous loop (Loop Mode) at variable speeds. The sequence can be
frozen (Freeze Mode) at any point in the loop. The buttons B1 and B2 can
optionally be arranged such that B1 is a top button and B2 is a bottom
button, for example in a face place that can be mounted in a single-gang
electrical box for wall mounting. The B1 button can be used to toggle
between a Loop Mode and a Freeze Mode. The B2 button can have different
functions depending on the mode selected using the button B1. Upon
power-up, the illumination controller can default to the Loop Mode with
pre-defined fade and hold times.

[0050] In the Loop Mode, the B2 button can act as a time multiplier. For
example, each time the B2 button is pressed (and released) in the Loop
Mode, the fade times and hold times can be doubled until the multiplier
is some upper threshold (for example 32× for a sequence of
2×, 4×, 8×, 16×, 32×). The multiplier can
revert back to 1 on the next press and release of the B2 button. To get
directly back to a multiplier of 1 from any given multiplier, the B2
button can be pressed and held for some threshold amount of time, for
example two seconds, then release. At any time during the Loop Mode, a
press and release of the B1 button can freeze the display (even in the
middle of a color fade) and hold on that color indefinitely until another
press of a button. While in the Freeze Mode, each press and release of
the B2 button can skip to the next defined color and stay there
indefinitely until another press of a button.

[0051] The Freeze Mode can be exited and returned to the Loop Mode, for
example by pressing and releasing the B1 button. The loop can fade to the
next color in the sequence and continue looping through the sequence with
the time multiplier set before entering the Freeze Mode. After multiple
button presses, to determine which settings are current, a press and
release of the B2 button can indicate whether or not the illumination
controller is in the Freeze Mode or the Loop Mode (the colors can change
with each press and release in the Freeze Mode). If it is in the Loop
Mode, pressing and holding the B2 button for some threshold amount of
time, for example two seconds, and then releasing can cause a return to
the default settings.

[0052] The fade time can be the time it takes to reach the defined color
from the previous color (e.g. in seconds, for example from 1 to 60
seconds). The hold time can be the time the color stays static before the
fade to the next color (e.g. 0.1 to 60 seconds). The fade and hold times
can optionally be user-set to the shortest times that could be needed so
that later adjustments can be via the multiplier as described above. In
one example, times can be defined to the nearest tenth of a second (e.g.
6.7 seconds).

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a sequence 410 that can be stored as a table in
the processor 40, or in a computer readable medium 50. Each step of the
sequence can include a red level value 420, a green level value 430, a
blue level value 440, a fade time value 450, and a hold time value 460.
The RGB levels can correspond to a color description 470. The
illumination controller can be extended to add control for a fourth color
or other additional colors, such as for example amber, for a richer color
selection. In such case, an amber level value can be added to the unitary
illumination control command

[0054] In a further aspect of the current subject matter one or more
implementations can, among other possible advantages, provide a serial
protocol (e.g. as described above), which can be used to transfer serial
strings via an Ethernet packet to an Ethernet-enabled illumination
control device, which is referred to herein as a networked lighting
controller (NLC). Such a device can receive the Ethernet packet and
transfer the communication string serially to one or more multichannel
pulse frequency modulated (PFM) illumination control devices to adjust
light intensity levels and fade rates at each channel. The Ethernet
packet can differ from the serial packets described above, which can
generally be a serial string.

[0055] In an implementation, delivered power from a power over Ethernet
(PoE) switch can provide power to the LED lighting and control circuitry,
such that both power and transmission and receiving of the serial command
strings can be accomplished via Ethernet. PoE technology can enable the
transfer of power in addition to data on Ethernet cabling, which can be
advantageous relative to requiring separated electrical power and data
wiring in that wiring requirements can be substantially reduced. For
example, installation of a controlled lighting device can be accomplished
without the need for an electrician and with reduced cabling or wiring
during installation. Lighting devices consistent with implementations of
the current subject matter can be delivered and configured as an IT
service to a building.

[0056] Implementations of the current subject matter can also allow a
building owner or administrator to monitor and control lighting power
within the building as needed for occupants and policies, in addition to
eliminating the use of such power when not necessary. This capability
can, among other potential advantages, enable better optimization of
lighting power utilization and thereby extend the life of light fixtures
while reducing energy consumption.

[0057] Further variations of the current subject matter can optionally
include a sensor for detecting occupancy or presence (ex: PIR), which can
further optionally be combined with light level sensors (ex: ALS) to
create a user defined, optionally policy driven lighting experience.

[0058] Implementations of the current subject matter can include single or
multiple LED fixtures, which can optionally be installed as stand-alone
or multiples in one or more daisy chains. This flexibility can enable use
of the current subject matter as a viable solution for many lighting
topologies and applications.

[0059] As illustrated in the wiring diagram 500 and the circuit board
diagram 600 shown in FIG. 5 (and the corresponding magnified view in
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C) and FIG. 6, a networked lighting controller (NLC) board
consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can include
one or more features, including but not limited to an RJ45 socket for a
Category 5 cable (PoE input and/or output), which can also be referred to
as a mag jack (magnetic jack) with integral inductors, diode bridges, and
a sense resistor for detecting PoE; an integrated circuit (for example,
part no. LM5073 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler,
Ariz.) for establishing connection to PoE and indicating that the light
fixture is a PoE Powered Device (PD); a PHY/MAC integrated circuit (for
example, part no. ENC28J60 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of
Chandler, Ariz.) that can, for example, contain a MAC address and handle
the physical layer of the internet protocol and converts to a serial
interface; a microcontroller, which can be implemented using a
commercially available microcontroller chip including, for example, one
or more of various dsPIC chips (for example those available from
Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.) and the like for receiving
serial data and processing into lighting control PFM outputs; one or more
timing devices (resonator or oscillator) for synchronizing control
signals; memory or other volatile or non-volatile storage for storing
code and data; connections to a serial bus (SERBUS), molex, PIR, ALS, or
other optional additional inputs for control or function(s); an optional
heavy duty driver that is externally powered and receives its signals
from the LED control connector and that can for example handle currents
up to 60 amperes; a hex buffer/driver with open collector outputs that
can be controlled by the microcontroller; one or more current control LED
drivers that can be controlled by the microcontroller; a DCDC converter
allowing power conversion to be regulated from PoE input power; one or
more RS-485 inputs for controlling multiple boards or fixtures, which may
also be daisy-chain linked by the SERBUS in and out connectors; one or
more LED outputs with scaling, dipswitch and TTL (transistor-transistor
logic) serial interface(s), and one or more I/O (input/output) pins for
future enhancements; an auxiliary power input for non-PoE systems; and an
auxiliary power output for powering other devices.

[0060] As noted, LED lights consistent with one or more implementations of
the current subject matter can be powered with low voltage DC electrical
power or PoE. Power can, in some implementations, be transmitted to the
LED lights through RJ45 sockets, which support PoE. Non-PoE power can be
delivered through other channels, for example via low-voltage electrical
wiring. In implementations in which external (e.g. non-PoE) power is
used, the RJ-45 jack can receive just the IP signal.

[0061] Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, LED
lighting parameters can be controlled using one or more approaches. For
example, a serial protocol such as is discussed above can be used.
Alternatively or in addition, a program or other software or software and
hardware in combination executing on a general purpose or dedicated
computing system that includes one or more programmable processors can
serve as the controller.

[0062] Multiple LED channels can be controlled independently, for example
as discussed above. Scaling of individual channels or the entire
controller can be controlled by a single scaling parameter (allows for
power utility demand response power reduction with no loss of
functionality).

[0063] Computer software control of one or more features of the current
subject matter can be achieved in a variety of ways. In one non-limiting
example, one or more user datagram protocol (UDP) inputs can be provided
for receiving data that is transmitted via category 5 Ethernet cable,
which can enable communication with one or more computers, computer
programs or other hosts over an Internet protocol (IP) network without
requiring prior communications to set up special transmission channels or
datapaths. In another example, a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) signal, packet, or the like can be transmitted, for
example via a wired (e.g. over Ethernet) or wireless (e.g. one or more
802.11 and 802.15 protocols, Bluetooth, a cellular network, etc.)
connection.

[0064] A user or administrator can be enabled to control light color and
light intensity levels, enable color and intensity preferences, create &
manage support schedules, and create & manage preset scene(s). Real time
or stored data on the lighting fixture controls can also be transmitted
or received by various computers, computer programs, management systems
or control systems. This functionality can allow for greater portability
and function with the user's existing systems thereby eliminating the
need for wholesale changes or proprietary control system purchases.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a system 700 in which power is supplied
to a lighting controller 702 via low voltage wiring 704 from a low
voltage power supply 706. Lighting control (e.g. exchange of Ethernet
control packets) can be provided to lighting controller 702 via one or
more network connections including, for example, Ethernet cabling 710 to
control operation of a LED fixture 712 according to commands from a
computer or other data processing device 714. In some implementations,
connection 710 may be a wireless connection as previously described.
Computer/data processing device 714 can communicate with lighting
controller 702 via a network that can support wired, and optionally,
wireless features. FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system 800 in which both
power and lighting control (e.g. exchange of Ethernet control packets)
are provided via Ethernet cabling 710 to a lighting controller 802 to
control operation of a LED fixture 712 according to commands from a
computer or other data processing device 714, which can communicate via a
network that can support wired, and optionally, wireless features as well
as a power over Ethernet power supplier component 804.

[0066]FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart for receiving and transmitting power
and control to lighting units connected to a lighting controller. At 905,
the lighting controller can receive power from a power supply connected
to the lighting controller. In some implementations, the lighting
controller can receive power via an Ethernet connection or low voltage
wiring.

[0067] At 910, the network controller can receive one or more illumination
control packets from a data processing device that is connected to the
lighting controller. The data processing device may be connected to the
lighting controller via one or more network connections. This data
processing device can, for example, correspond to computer/data
processing device 714 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0068] At 915, the network controller can transmit power to one or more
lighting units connected to the lighting controller. In some
implementations, power can be transmitted to these lighting units over an
Ethernet connection or low voltage wiring.

[0069] At 920, the network controller can power an illumination level of
one or more colors associated with the lighting units in accordance with
the illumination control packets. This control may be performed over a
network connection including, for example, Ethernet connection or a
wireless connection.

[0070] As described herein, an illumination controller for use with at
least one three-color LED module can include an input for receiving at
least one illumination control packet via networked wiring, such as for
example Ethernet wiring. The illumination control packet can include a
first color control output for pulse modulating a first signal that
powers a first illumination level for a first color, a second color
control output for pulse modulating a second signal that powers a second
illumination level for a second color, a third color control output for
pulse modulating a third signal that powers a third illumination level
for a third color. A processor included in the controller can control the
first, second, and third color control outputs in accordance with the
control packet, and optionally in accordance with a scale parameter that
can be associated with a second illumination control packet received by
the controller or that can be part of the illumination control packet.
The control packets can be packets received by the processor over
Ethernet wiring and then converted to serial packets distributed to one
or more lighting fixtures, for example as described herein.

[0071] Each of the first color control output, the second color output,
and the third color output can optionally use pulse frequency modulation
based on the first, second, or third color level parameter, respectively
and also pulse width modulation based on the scaling parameter for pulse
modulating the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal,
respectively. Each of the first and second illumination control packets
can optionally include an ASCII string. The first, second, and third
color control outputs can be controlled in response to receiving an
illumination control packet including a carriage return character. The
controller can optionally include a serial interface (e.g. a RS-232
interface, a RS-485 interface, etc.) for communicating with the at least
one three-color LED module and a network interface (e.g. an RJ-45
connection for receiving the at least one illumination control packet via
networked wiring. The at least one illumination control packet can
optionally be received via a wireless connection.

[0072] Implementations of the current subject matter can include, but are
not limited to, systems and methods consistent including one or more
features are described as well as articles that comprise a tangibly
embodied machine-readable medium operable to cause one or more machines
(e.g., computers, etc.) to result in operations described herein.
Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one or
more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more
processors. A memory, which can include a computer-readable storage
medium, may include, encode, store, or the like one or more programs that
cause one or more processors to perform one or more of the operations
described herein. Computer implemented methods consistent with one or
more implementations of the current subject matter can be implemented by
one or more data processors residing in a single computing system or
multiple computing systems. Such multiple computing systems can be
connected and can exchange data and/or commands or other instructions or
the like via one or more connections, including but not limited to a
connection over a network (e.g. the Internet, a wireless wide area
network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, or
the like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiple
computing systems, etc.

[0073] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described
herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated
circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits
(ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware,
firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or
features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that
are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at
least one programmable processor, which can be special or general
purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit
data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,
and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing
system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally
remote from each other and typically interact through a communication
network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of
computer programs running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other.

[0074] These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,
software, software applications, applications, components, or code,
include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be
implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming
language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term
"machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product,
apparatus and/or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical
disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide
machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a
machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a
machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any
signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable
processor. The machine-readable medium can store such machine
instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would a
non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any
equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively
or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner,
such as for example as would a processor cache or other random access
memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0075] To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or
features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a
computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube
(CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED)
monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a
pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the
user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be
used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example,
feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such
as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback;
and input from the user may be received in any form, including, but not
limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input
devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other
touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or
capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical
scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated
interpretation software, and the like.

[0076] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,
apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired
configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description
do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter
described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with
aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few
variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or
additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations
can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the
implementations described above can be directed to various combinations
and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and
subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition,
the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described
herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or
sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations may
be within the scope of the following claims.